Sharing and Cooperation
An economic revival worthy of the name is going to include a large measure of locality. Local economies are inherently conserving of land and resources. They feed and enrich in ways a global market can’t; and they activate a sense of responsibility to one another and to the natural setting they inhabit.
Networks for Sharing and Exchange
The infrastructure for the distribution and selling of new stuff is wondrous in America. For the redistribution of used and unwanted items, by contrast, and wasted resources generally, the infrastructure is primitive when it exists at all.
As a result, stuff sits in our garages, space in our cars and produce from our fruit trees goes unused, and the toll on our wallets and our habitat becomes greater.
The basic function of an economy is to match resources with human need. A natural advantage of a local economy is that the matching is so much easier. West Marin Commons has sought to build on this advantage by developing the ways and means for sharing that which before was going to waste.
In the process, strangers become neighbors, and genuine community starts to emerge in the root meaning of that term – that is, the sharing of wealth.
The only restriction is that these are noncommercial transactions. Ads for items for sale, and rentals, should go to our local papers.
Food and Garden
The Food System Initiative is a board for people interested in the local food economy. Produce swaps, fermentation and canning parties, bulk buying, cow-shares – here’s a place to get it started.
Food System Initiative Local Food System Initiative – a WMCommons Google group (produce swaps, cow-share possibilities, fermentation and canning parties, bulk buying opportunities, food sovereignty)
Summer Kitchen Co-op, a food co-op organized by Sebastian Ellis, has changed its name and site address:
http://www.hearthandharvestorganic.org/
Rides and Errands
The Over-The-Hill-Gang is a ride and errand sharing board through which people can post their transportation needs as they arise. People use it to find – or offer – rides to Petaluma and Novato, Berkeley and the airport, and wherever else they might be going. Those with an item to pick up at a repair shop or cleaner, do the same.
Reuse materials; share information and services
West Marin Share is a board for sharing what people don’t need and finding things they do. Give away an old printer, get a recommendation for an opthamologist, borrow a hedge trimmer for a day. You will save money, help spare the planet, and maybe even make a friend.
West Marin Share – a WMCommons Google group
Visit the Announcement Board next to Toby’s Coffee Bar in Point Reyes Station
Parents Coordinate
West Marin Parent’s Network - a WMCommons Google group
Opinion
West Marin Soapbox - a WMCommons Google group
Community Documents to Share
Tending the Wild Collaborative: An Ethnobiology Project
Discussion group
For more information on our Ethnobiology Project see this page on our website. Link here.
To join the Ethnobiology network link here: http://groups.google.com/group/wmcommons-ethnobiology-project-a-tending-the-wild-collaborative/about